Appeal for Scholarship in identifying a 15th century (
) fresco in Cyprus.

In the church of Saint Peter and Paul, built in the 1360's in Famagusta by the
Lusignans, there remains a lone, damaged, fresco of unknown origin. I suspect
that it is 15th century and that the original artist may have been French or
Genoese. There is also a good chance, however, that he may have been Venetian,
and that would advance the date of the painting to the early 16th century. In
around 1571 the painting was covered with whitewash in order for the church to
be converted to a mosque by the Ottomans, and remained hidden until the
1930's, when the British removed the paint and plaster surface from the walls.
Today the church is unused and the unstudied painting in an advanced state of
disrepair.

I would welcome any art historians' comments on the images of this work which
can be viewed by clicking on the links provided, especially if they can point
me towards a more specific time or country of origin. I have provided both a
'positive' and a 'negative' image to assist with viewing. Likewise I would be
delighted if anyone could suggest what the original subject matter would have
been, materials used and so on. My feeling is that an expert on Italian
ecclesiastical art in the 15th century Eastern Mediterranean, may well have
the answer.

In the event that a hypothesis, or a firm identification, can be arrived at, a
publication will inevitably result.

Please do not hesitate to contact me on:
michael.walshemu.edu.tr

Thank you very much
Michael Walsh
Department of Art History
Eastern Mediterranean University
michael.walshemu.edu.tr